Giving Blood (With a phobia of needles!)
So, you guessed it from the title right? Why would somebody with a HUGE phobia of needles chose to give blood? Well this is how it goes.
I am a student. I have no money to give to those in need, but I have blood that could save lives. So why should I let my selfish phobia get in the way? One day a couple of weeks ago I spontaneously decided I would face my fear and give blood. That was it; that night I registered to give blood. No further questions asked. And there I was today at the nearest donation site. Here is my diary of the night before, and then the actual day. Follow my journey on a quest to make a difference.
I have an hour to
prepare. I don’t feel sick – I am surprised about that. I thought I was facing
it alone but I think that my mother is coming along now too – she said that she
wanted to see how I behaved near a needle, and did this little evil laugh. I
wasn’t impressed at all. It will be nice to have some support though. I am
dressed, I have exercised, eaten, drunk two coffees and now I just need to put
on some make up – and of course plaster on a brave face. Keep smiling. Chin up.
And keep telling myself that I could save somebody’s life in my own little way.
It’s worth it for that.
I am a student. I have no money to give to those in need, but I have blood that could save lives. So why should I let my selfish phobia get in the way? One day a couple of weeks ago I spontaneously decided I would face my fear and give blood. That was it; that night I registered to give blood. No further questions asked. And there I was today at the nearest donation site. Here is my diary of the night before, and then the actual day. Follow my journey on a quest to make a difference.
The Night Before Donation.
Tomorrow I shall give
blood. I have a phobia of needles. A big phobia. But I want to save lives. I do
not have money to give to those in need, but I do have blood that can be used
to help to save somebody’s life. So, last week I decided, against all odds I
will face my fear, and I will do something to help somebody else.
Tomorrow afternoon. I
am trying not to think too much about it because I have lived with this phobia
for some time now, and to face a needle will be terrifying for me. I have
always refused blood tests because of it, yet here I am. About to give blood. I will not do it for my own health, but I will do it for others'.
I
am exited in a way, nervous in another. I have been having dreams about the day
for a couple of weeks now; imagining all sorts of silly issues with the needle.
The night before has finally arrived and I am ready to challenge myself and
make a difference. I will do it for someone else this time. Not for me. For
somebody’s mother, daughter, best friend, partner. I hope that my blood will be
used to save somebody’s life. Wish me luck.
The hour before
I am ready. I have had
the largest bowl of All-bran possible because they do an iron check before you
can give blood. That’s a big concern of mine – plucking up the courage to allow
somebody to stick a needle in me, only for them to say my iron is too low. I
don’t feel too bad actually. Not right now. I am not really thinking about the
needle, I am thinking about saving somebody’s life instead.

(See next post for during, and after my experience!)
Boneata Bell
19
22/11/2012
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